> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# $5 million worth of cocaine seized from Santa Monica apartment
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/5-million-worth-of-cocaine-seized-from-santa-monica-apartment/
- Published: 2003-10-08T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T03:02:52.000Z
- Author: Carolyn Sackariason
- Tags: Real Estate & Housing, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*Police apprehend suspect as he tried to flee from scene*

More than 24 kilos of cocaine was seized from a Santa Monica man’s apartment on Monday.

The drugs, which have a street value of more than $5 million, were found in Amir Azil’s apartment on 18th Street, between Arizona Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard.

Azil, a 24-year-old middle eastern Canadian national, was arrested and taken to Santa Monica Jail. His bail was set at $2 million.

Although authorities remain tight-lipped about the details surrounding the arrest and the investigation, Santa Monica Police Department Lt. Frank Fabrega was able to provide some details. Police were called at 7:50 p.m. by an unknown party who reported suspicious circumstances in the 1200 block of 18th Street. Patrol officers spoke to a man who reported the activity and upon further investigation, a SMPD officer was able to locate several kilos of cocaine in Azil’s apartment. Once a search warrant was served, police found several more kilos and several thousand dollars inside.

As SMPD officers and narcotic agents were investigating the scene, Azil drove up to the building. When he saw police he fled in his car, but officers were able to apprehend him within a short distance, Fabrega said.

It is unknown whether the officer went into the apartment before a search warrant was obtained.

“They were able to develop information but whether they went in the house I don’t know,” Fabrega said.

Fabrega couldn’t confirm what led to the witness reporting suspicious circumstances, or when Azil arrived home. Azil is expected to appear in Santa Monica court today.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/100803-02_02.jpg)

of SMPD A portion of the 24 kilograms of cocaine found in a Santa Monica man’s apartment. (Photo: Photo courtesy)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 8, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/100803.pdf?ref=smdp.com)